About the Migration Governance Indicators
About the Migration Governance Indicators
Migrants' rights
Migrants' rights
Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.
Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.
Whole of government approach
Whole of government approach
Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.
Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.
Partnerships
Partnerships
This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.
Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.
Well-being of migrants
Well-being of migrants
This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.
Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.
Mobility dimensions of crises
Mobility dimensions of crises
This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.
Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.
Safe, orderly and regular migration
Safe, orderly and regular migration
This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.
Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.
Key findings
INTRODUCTION
This country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of the Republic of Honduras (hereinafter referred to as Honduras) governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.
Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.
The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Impact. Funding is provided by IOM Member States.
Key findings
MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- In Honduras, all migrants are entitled to access all public health services, regardless of their migration status.
- Since 2015 the programme “Todos Podemos Avanzar” for vulnerable groups, including migrants, seeks to integrate young returnees into the education system.
- The Guía de orientación docente para la reinserción educativa de niñas, niños y adolescentes en condición de vulnerabilidad (2020), provides technical and administrative guidance on the reintegration or integration into the education system of returning migrant children and adolescents.
Areas with potential for further development
- Only permanent residents in Honduras can access social security services.
- Foreign workers’ access to employment is limited, as they cannot account for more than 10 per cent of a company’s personnel and the use of foreign languages in the orders, instructions, notices or directives given to workers is prohibited.
- Family reunification is possible only for certain migrants.
Key findings
WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT APPROACH
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- There are two entities for supporting citizens abroad and coordinating interaction with the diaspora: the Directorate General for the Protection of Honduran Migrants and the National Council for the Protection of Honduran Migrants.
- The national Administration regularly compiles and publishes migration-related data.
- The Social Development Observatory was established in 2022 and runs the Returnee Support System, using the Returning Migrant Support Form to record information.
- Honduras has gender-equality policies that apply to migrant women.
Areas with potential for further development
- Since 2019 up to the time of writing, the National Migration Institute has been formulating the National Migration Policy, which covers immigrants, emigrants, persons in transit and returnees.
- The strengthening of the National Statistical System through the National Institute of Statistics is an area with potential for further development.
Key findings
PARTNERSHIPS
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Honduras participates in regional forums such as the Regional Conference on Migration or the Puebla Process; the Commission of Migration Authorities of the Member Countries of SICA; and the Ibero-American Network of Migration Authorities.
- In 2021, Honduras signed a memorandum of understanding with Spain to reinforce its commitment to the effective management of safe, orderly and regular migration – in particular, with regard to the Honduran community in Spain as well as circular migration.
Areas with potential for further development
- The Government of Honduras involves the private sector and social partners on an ad hoc basis in efforts to increase private-sector investment and create jobs for migrants.
- Honduras is party to the Agreement Establishing the Single Central American Visa for the Free Movement of Foreigners between the Republic of El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (2005), but it does not contain provisions regarding labour migration.
- The strengthening of partnerships with civil society with a view to setting the agenda and implementing migration-related programmes is considered an area with potential for further development.
Key findings
WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Since 2015, the Supportive and Productive Remittances Programme has promoted the creation of formal remittance schemes.
- The Hondureños y Hondureñas Conectadas programme, created in 2022, involves the diaspora in the country’s growth and development through initiatives driven by remittances.
- In 2019, Honduras signed the Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean, agreed upon under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Areas with potential for further development
- Honduras does not have regulatory frameworks to facilitate the financial inclusion of migrants or reduce the costs of remittance transfers.
- The establishment of a mechanism to monitor the labour market demand for migrants, the supply of domestic labour and the effects of emigration on the national labour market is also an area with potential for further development.
- International students do not have access to university education on the same terms as Honduran students.
Key findings
MOBILITY DIMENSION OF CRISES
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Government’s State Policy for Comprehensive Risk Management contains provisions specifically intended to prevent and address the impact of disaster-induced displacement.
- Honduras has adopted specific measures to assist migrants when the country is struck by a crisis.
- Measures have been adopted on exceptions to the immigration procedures for migrants whose respective countries of origin are in crisis.
- In October 2018, Guatemala and Honduras activated the Safe Return of Hondurans to the Country plan, which is implemented by the National Coordinator’s System for Disaster Reduction and the State Secretariat for National Risk and Contingency Management Offices.
Areas with potential for further development
- The country’s emergency communication systems do not take into account the specific vulnerabilities of migrants.
- The development of a contingency plan to manage large-scale population movements in times of crisis is an area with potential for development.
Key findings
SAFE, ORDERLY AND DIGNIFIED MIGRATION
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Directorate General for the Protection of Honduran Migrants is in charge of the Returning Migrant Assistance Office, the Returning Migrant Assistance Centres and the Municipal Returnee Assistance Units for migration management.
- The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation clearly describes the visa options and provides links to the relevant forms.
- The Missing Migrants Tracing Board was established in 2021 to promote dialogue and launch initiatives aimed at creating effective search and assistance mechanisms for missing migrants and their families.
- The Government Plan to Reconstruct Honduras 2022–2026 (2022) specifically refers to the reintegration of returning migrants.
Areas with potential for further development
- The establishment of a system to monitor visa overstays is considered an area with potential for further development.
- The inclusion of specific measures for migrants in transit in municipal development plans is considered an area with potential for development.
2022 September
